Click 'Play' to see and hear Curt Dunstan, a Bechtel engineer, describe the appointments of a FEMA-issued travel trailer.
If pictures of the wholesale devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast are what the American public remembers most about this disaster, then the bright white, 35-foot aluminum breadbox known as a "FEMA trailer" is a close second for Katrina's most iconic image.
These FEMA trailers dot the landscape here like metallic dominos, strewn along the Gulf Coast in patterns as random as the hurricane winds that took the dwellings they now replace. In other areas the trailers sit in neat tight rows, as if aligned by some control freak construction foreman. Such areas are known as "emergency group" sites -- or "egg" sites as FEMA personnel call them. They amount to aluminum subdivisions, complete with their own water, sewer and electric hook-ups; they have roads and even centralized laundry facilities in some cases.
Each 280-square-foot trailer is a self-contained study in pure economy class. The trailers are set up to sleep six -- a double bed in the “master” bedroom, bunk beds in the other bedroom and two on a sleeper sofa in the main living area. One adult might be able to ride out the maximum 18 months the trailers are on loan from FEMA, but toss in two adults and a couple of kids and perhaps a grandparent and you “have to live your life in shifts,” as one Bay St. Louis resident put it.
The units soak up outside cold and heat with fiendish efficiency, making them unbearable to live in without constantly running the heater or air conditioner, neither of which was meant to operate full time. Thankfully the trailers are hooked right into the local water and sewer system, alleviating the need for storage tanks or septic systems. And if you thought the hot water ran out fast at your house (which probably has a standard 60 gallon water heater), the water heater in a standard FEMA trailer has an almost cruel 10 gallon capacity. The one “luxury” provided is a microwave; however, the standard 1.4 cubic ft. capacity of the appliances would make even a student at state college turn up his or her nose.
In order to get into a FEMA trailer, you have to qualify as having lived in a house that is either no longer there or is uninhabitable. In order to prove you lived in the area, you need to show FEMA some verifying documentation.
"Proving you're a resident here, with all the documentation wiped out, has been a problem," says Sam Lamport, FEMA's division supervisor for Hancock County.
The process of applying and occupying a FEMA trailer can take "nearly 4-6 weeks," according to an agency fact sheet dated Dec. 5. The displaced must call FEMA and apply, then prove eligibility and then wait until a trailer comes available.
However, when MSNBC.com spoke to Lamport, there were 60-plus trailers ready to be moved into at a moment's notice, all located at "egg" sites. That seems to be at odds with one of the most common complaints one still hears around Waveland and Bay St. Louis: FEMA hasn't come up with the trailer they've promised to provide.
Lamport says it takes "three and four hours" to roll a trailer out of its staging area, set it at a home site, connect water, sewer and power lines and be ready for someone to move in. Bechtel, the private construction company that is under FEMA contract to install the trailers here, has been hooking up 150 trailers a day, Lamport says. But that number has dwindled significantly -- to about 50 per day -- because most of the need for trailer placements has now been filled, says Yogi Howell, FEMA's field supervisor in Hancock County.
'A lack of communication'
So why so many complaints? "It’s a lack of communication between the people that lost their homes and FEMA, because they didn’t call and say 'I need a travel trailer,'" says Lamport.
Howell, who is something of a disaster professional, having been in charge of installing FEMA trailers and other temporary housing for most of the country's major disasters of the last decade, including the Northridge earthquake in California, says "the travel trailer part of it is getting close to the end," and that soon FEMA will be concentrating on installing mobile homes.
CLICK FOR RELATED STORY: NEW LIFE IN A FEMA TRAILERIn the end, Howell figures there will be about 9,000 travel trailers in Hancock County. But that's just a guess, he says.
"You’ll never know that until the last application is taken, and all the systems are weeded through," Howell says. "That’s a hard number to always get. There used to be a theory behind it, a kind of formula, to figure out how many travel trailers you might need, except that (theory) sort of went away these last few disasters."
And while emergency group sites may have empty trailers "right now," it's often the case that people want a trailer on their own property. "But in order to install a trailer on a person's property, there needs to be water, sewer and electricity," Lamport says. And space; if there is too much debris, a trailer won't be hooked up until a space can be cleared, Lamport says. If those criteria aren't met, no trailer gets installed. However, Lamport did say that someone living in a trailer at an "egg" site can eventually have that same trailer moved onto their property whenever the utilities and debris issues are resolved.
The process of setting up the trailers in the aftermath of Katrina has been more daunting than any previous disaster worked by Howell, who said, "it was a damn mind-boggling deal to even start with."
'A total wipeout'
There was just nothing to work with, Howell says. "Normally you go into a disaster, but your infrastructure and stuff is intact. You got water, sewer, electric ... or something that’s easily fixed," he says. "And here it was a total wipeout and all of your infrastructure being gone. It’s been a challenge from day one. Everywhere you turned there was another obstacle."
Howell said FEMA is now looking at developing mobile home sites, a much more permanent solution than travel trailers. But mobile home parks require more finesse; more permitting, more approval from city and local officials.
But that's needed because the clock on the little aluminum trailers is already ticking. Eighteen months after occupation, everyone is supposed to be out and moving into more permanent housing, Lamport says. That deadline started the day after Katrina hit, despite the fact that not a single FEMA trailer had yet been installed.
When asked about the fairness of the timing Lamport purses his mouth, hesitates for a long while and finally says, "That’s what the policy says. That’s how the program goes.” And then, in a quick, almost exasperated addendum he says, "I’m sure FEMA isn't going to kick anyone out after 18 months ... given the magnitude of this disaster."
And what happens if, after 18 months with the trailer, someone finds they really love the trailer life, can they buy it from FEMA? "No," Lamport says. "The trailers all go back the General Services Administration where they are auctioned off," he says.
So, if someone wants the trailer they've been living in for a year and a half, they have give it away, figure out how to bid for it, instead of being allowed to buy it outright from the government, and then figure out how to transport it back to the area Lamport is silent when asked about the practicality of such a policy.
And just because the occupants of a FEMA trailer get to stay in it rent free doesn't mean they don't have obligations.
Occupants "are supposed to keep the trailers clean," Lamport says. "There’s a move-in inspection that is performed, noting any damages," he says. "And any damages they cause they are responsible for when there’s a move-out inspection."
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Temporary Housing Each 280-square-foot trailer is a self-contained study in pure economy class. The trailers are set up to sleep six a double bed in the “master” bedroom, bunk beds in the other bedroom and two on a sleeper sofa in the main living area. One ...
Posted on Dec 24, 2005 3:23:54 AM at: Planning for Renewal
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I was wondering why the caring democrats in Congress just delayed much of the hurricane aid (included in deficit reduction bill) based on technicalities that will do nothing to "improve" the outcome of the bill except take additional, precious time for the money to get to the hurricane victims and the states that are supporting them. And, the caring democrats are threatening to delay again once the current loop through the process is complete. Just curious how that squares with compassion above politics - a needless delay to make a political stance while people are living in tents. By the way, the Republicans and the President are ready to send the money....
Debbie, Louisiana (Sent Dec 25, 2005 7:37:30 PM)
This is to A. Carr from Michigan.
You are describing installing an RV or travel trailer on a level spot or a concrete pad in a nice, clean RV park. On the Gulf, we are installing trailers on lots covered with as much as six feet of debris -- lumber, roofs, uprooted trees, smashed furniture. Just finding a few clear square feet in which to put the trailer is a challenge -- then there's the problem of hauling it in over twisted, tangled wreckage.
Of course, seeing as you are the expert, how about you come on down and show us ignoramusses how to set up a travel trailer in 30 seconds or less.
Jim, Waveland (Sent Dec 25, 2005 10:01:29 PM)
May God bless every man, woman and child affected by this disastor. I've lived thru hard times but I've always had a roof over my head and family to help. The stories I've read from this site are filled with courageous people and may God take extra special care of you this New Year.
Jane Doe, Milwaukee, WI (Sent Dec 26, 2005 6:37:58 AM)
My prayers go out to everyone who lost their homes,and loved ones in the storm.My only request is for our nation to pray for peace.
My aunt lost her home in NO and now lives in TX.She is so thankful for clothes or even a cookie sheet.
kay Jackson,MS (Sent Dec 26, 2005 8:13:26 AM)
I have two houses in South Texas and had no problems getting Natioal flood insurance for years.
My agent stated that I did ot need flood insurance since I was not in a flood zone and tried to convince me again calling it a waste of money and to buy other insurance instead
. After I went over the past 100 years of Hurricanes and floods in our county the office workers and agent now have flood insurance .
The insurance companys make very little commison on the flood polices . They do not want to fool with it,I have heard this from more than one company
Gary Kriegel Bishop Texas
Gary Kriegel Bishop Texas (Sent Dec 27, 2005 4:34:47 PM)
A Carr has yet to walk through Hancock County (Bay St Louis/Waveland) Every person who shows up to help goes through a 72 hour curve, the first day they are all full of ways that everything could have been done better, the second day after the realization of the size and scope of the destruction, and meeting the people who have lived the disaster, people who smile and comfort the rescuer telling them that it's going to be better. Views tend to change by the third day, at this point most people who really want to help will.
Some can't handle the environment and just go home. FEMA is doing what it can as fast as it can, but the best FEMA is doing is a bigger trailer. Many homes were lost; it is up to the volunteer groups, like the ones who raised money for the burned down house. Volunteer labor and materials are the core of the method to rebuilding houses and lives in the disaster area. Join a group from your area, come down and help rebuild a life.
Mike S, Marietta,Ga./ Waveland (Sent Dec 28, 2005 12:13:16 PM)
Can't we all get along! God bless everyone. May the New Year be prosperous.
R. Vining (Sent Dec 28, 2005 4:55:44 PM)
Hi, I just want to thank everybody for being honest with themselves and sharing with everyone their true feelings, thats what it is all about getting to the heart of the matter and the cause that counts. This is why I would like to share a little bit of what I have seen in New Orleans. It is much more than I can comprehend of such devastation or even talk about in such a short time. Our church in Manassas, Virginia had partnered with a church in Penn. and Conn. and also the founder of Christ in Action, Denny Nissley. We partnered together to help rebuild three houses, that were struck down by Katrina's overwhelming power. We together rebuilt 3 homes in 6 days. I thank God for the miracle that took place and the people that helped. The goal was reached and accomplished. We all need to reach out and help in anyway that we can, volunteering or chariable donations or through our prayers. We need to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Do unto others as we would want them to do to us. Let us not forget who said this, and "who is not without sin let him cast the first stone." All that I can say, help, help, help and prayers is needed greatly.
Brian Ehardt (Sent Dec 31, 2005 7:13:36 PM)
"YOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE PAYING FOR MY RELEIF AID?" I've worked all my life, AND paid taxes. Instead of looking at it that YOUR money is what aided us from AL to TX, I would rather think that the taxes I paid all my working life was like an insurance policy or savings account I paid into each week so that if I needed help in an emergency, it would be there. I think the taxes I paid for the last 32 years would cover the price of my fema trailer. I looked up the company and model on the internet for the travel trailer I have. Well the starting price for the basic package model,(which is what I have) is only $17,975.I do beleive between my self and my spouse, we have more than paid for the price of the mini home, and probably paid for many others. And remember, We are not buying it, we are borrowing it for up to 18 months! So please, enough of your selfish attitudes about taxes paying for us, and thank God Almighty that YOU just happened to not have anything tragic and unpreventable sneak up and bite you on the ass when you weren't looking!!! Now everyone have a great New Years, and hope 2006 is a little kinder to everyone touched by tragedy across our UNITED states.
M. Davis Pearl River, LA (Sent Jan 1, 2006 12:50:20 PM)
To M. Davis -
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lanie, Gulf Coast MS (Sent Jan 1, 2006 6:02:51 PM)
TO JP in NC...you're right, the victims of disasters in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and other countries have no FEMA or insurance. They have my tax dollars and yours, when our government sends millions/billions of dollars in aid & supplies to those countries. Instead of raving about tax-paying Americans receiving "assistance" from their own government, you should be more concerned about the monumental waste of taxpayer $$ created by inefficient operations, directed by unqualified "decision makers" (politicians). But, that's what happens when you have no-bid contracts and "the good old boy" system at work.
H.R., Michigan (Sent Jan 3, 2006 12:57:28 AM)
Having survived a direct hit by Hurricane Charley last year, personally, I felt FEMA did a superb job. We live in a small, rural community and although it took a couple of days for help to reach us, it came from everywhere. Utility trucks, trucks with water, food, supplies were lined up out of harm's way waiting for the storm to pass. We were fortunate, we did not need a FEMA trailer. Our house was damaged by not uninhabitable. We were lucky. Many, many people here were less fortunate. Many here are still living in FEMA trailers and I suspect they are grateful to have them. Until you have walked in the shoes of hurricane survivors, please don't point fingers. The people are surviving the best they can and the Government is helping as quickly as they can. Unlike the storms which can destroy an entire area in just a couple of hours, help and rebuilding takes a bit longer. Life is very, very hard after a storm like Charley or Katrina or Ivan. It doesn't get easier for a long time but you do establish a routine that works for you during the time you are awaiting power to come back on, getting your insurance money so you can begin the rebuilding process and then, last but not least, finding a contractor to make the repairs. It seems ludicrous to me that someone in Michigan or some other state not dealing with the destruction on a daily basis can sit back at their computer and make snap judgments about any of this mess.
P Murphy Arcadia, FL (Sent Jan 7, 2006 8:59:05 PM)
Just returned home to Lansing, MI from volunteering in Ocean Springs, MS. I was fortunate/unfortunate enough to see the damage in Biloxi, Waveland, and Bay St. Louis. I just want to extend my true regret and sorrow for everyone that expeirenced loss along the coast and in Mississippi. I am truley sorry for what you have been put through and are going through right now. I took many pictures and am doing my best to get the word out up here in Michigan that things are still really messed up down there. It was truley a life changing experience to see what can happen in the blink of an eye. I am working on organizing another volunteer trip down there and am trying to bring down some financial backing and donation this time. We are ignorant in the North to what it is really like down there and for what its worth, its not all our fault. The media causes us to have short term memory loss about what happened and I am going to do what I can to share my experience with as many people as I can. Much love to all of you and I wish with all of my heart you the best.
Pete Lansing, MI (Sent Jan 8, 2006 5:40:38 PM)
still waiting for a FEMA trailer, in Diamondhead, MS no answers when you call, Have slept in more than 50 locations since the storm. I would love to get a trailer and help my neighborhood get back on it's feet. I think some parts of the MS Gulf Coast have been forgotten. Mostly Hancock County. Just my opinion. God Bless and many Thanks to friends and families and organizations who have helped all of the Katrina victims.
Doris, Diamondhead, MS (Sent Jan 11, 2006 7:04:57 PM)
I would have preferred not to have handouts, as a matter of fact I would perfer not to have had a Katrina, but I did, along with thousands of others. I, like them, not only lost my home to a 7 foot surge, but also lost our business. Due to being elderly and the slow lack of work we could not affod flood insurance. Our home insurance covered wind and fire and since hurricanes aren't included in the wind part we can't rebuild our home. If we do it must be 6 to 8 feet off the ground. I have lost five children, my mother, father, two sisters and a brother and every memory on paper or tape I had of them. Talk about pain, hurt and tears, I'm still crying people, but there has been a world of wonderful people that's come into my husbands and my life since this storm has almost totally destroyed us. I thank God for each and every kindness given us, and "handed out" to us. I also truly thank Fema for this "sardine can" we're living in, but I feel they could have given us a mobile home to own instead of paying the huge amount for this trailor. A roof, a bed, a stove, but no tent, thank God. We are a couple of the lucky ones. It's too bad so many people has to be so cruel with their comments and insults when they don't have to stand in our shoes. May God have mercy on them that they never have to suffer the way the folks on the Gulf Coast, or any other disaster-hit area has. Love and prayers to all of you from Lower Alabama.
Bonnie Lower Alabama (Sent Jan 16, 2006 2:08:02 AM)
I have space in Jackson County Mississippi for FEMA travel Trailers.
Two four acre lots
One three acre and one five acre.
How do I go about contacting the dept that places the trailers ?
Patrick F. Murphy 19201 Hwy.63 Moss Point Mississippi (Sent Jan 16, 2006 3:13:59 PM)
I was just reading all of these comments aout how F.E.M.A. is wasting money on stupid things like trailers and money to put people on big cruise ships. why dont they just give us $140,000 dollars so we can just buy a new house. why dont all of you that are bitching about it stop and think for a second. even if you buy a house out of state or in a different part of the state where are you supposed to go while you look for a house? better yet where are you going to go when you buy the house and you can not move in untill it closes escrow? those trailers and cruise ships sound a little better than sleeping out in the open when the temperature drops to 30 at night? I also here alot of God have mercy on those people that are stating there opinion that they never have anything like this happen to them. Well i hate to burst your bubble but Louisiana and Mississippi are not the only places to ever have a natural disaster. so dont go thinkin you are the first people to ever be involved in something like this because you are not. And there are many other things i can think of that would be and could be worse than a hurricane
matthew ,arizona (Sent Jan 20, 2006 7:21:41 PM)
We want to thank all the wonderful people who have volunteered of themselves and time to help all of the peoples down here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. As for the ones who have just complained and done nothing .... oh except have your government spend your tax dollars... have you forgotten we had and I mean had jobs and paid taxes ourselves. As some of the other writers have said worked all our lives paying taxes. So if you feel it was only your tax dollars I suppose you are the only one who has had a job!!! What ever people may think of the people down here we on the coast worked (yes past tense) just for now. But fear not we are still working not at the jobs we had but cleaning up miles, at least the entire length of the Gulf Coast and at least 30ft deep in some areas. I suppose you would think it wonderful that some of the debris was washed out into the Gulf oh that is another story. But your tax dollars were saved from having to clean up peoples lots. Their entire homes and everything was washed away! Now for the set up of these FEMA trailers that only take 3 to 4 hours. To A Carr and the others the majority of these are not going to camp grounds where the lots have been leveled and setup so you can just drive you little camper up to the hook-ups and wa-la there you go. As said before these trailers have to be level for one and the one we have was set on 6 sets of cement blocks, anchored to the ground front 2 and back 2. Someone had to come out and set up a utility pole for eletric, then a 4" pipe had to be run to our septic tank and tied into the regular line. And we were lucky we could hook the 2 hoses to the water hose. Yep we have been camping in an RV and this is nothing like camping! And as far as the family who chose to live in a camper while building a new home that was a choice. Also remember you were able to move out when it got cold. We on the other hand have no other place to go.
Now for the goverment waste, Yes I think it is insane to pay cruise ships $240 per cabin (is it) a day... Just like when they found FEMA paying $450. per nite in luxury hotels. Government Waste! That is not the fault of the people here living in campers. We are not receiving that kind of money a day. And the ones sapping the system living in the most expensive hotels who could go to cheaper Hotels. And not to mention the pictures I have of the contractors working for the Corps of Engineers supposed supervisors sitting in lawn chairs. As the saying goes " Too many bosses and not enough workers". Then you have the other people and I know of some personally who got just as much for their home damages from FEMA to repair their home as we got from the insurance Co. for which we paid for every year. Then when go to them explaining that we don't have enough to even repair our house back to somewhat where it was they tell us we don't qualify.
So if I got this right we would have come out better off for having no insurance than trying to do things the correct way and take care of ourselves.
And believe me they are lots of those. Then you have the ones who paid insurance and are having to fight to get one penny out of the insurance and FEMA tells them they don't qualify for that kind of give-a-way because they had insurance.
Someone please tell me why should someone who cared nothing for their property before the storm get 10's of thousands of dollars to repair their homes. Then others who paid in and got ripped off by the insurance companies get nothing.
The true saviors of this area have been the church based organizations not the Goverment. If we had to wait on the government to take care of us we would still be in tents and living off MREs.
Thanks to all who have helped and still are.
Chris (Sent Mar 24, 2006 2:41:32 PM)
Almost forgot while you people are sitting up in some other part of the country we down here are doing the best we can. The worst part is no one has a plan of what they will do with all these trailers here especially the ones sitting next to the homes we are rebuilding in the event of another Hurricane hitting near here in just a couple of months. That is when we start the season over again. I can just hear the insurance companies now how they won't pay cause the FEMA trailer caused the damage to the house. Just a thought. And remember every area of the country has it's problems. I am thankful the last bad one Camille was over 34 years ago.
Chris, Kiln, MS (Sent Mar 24, 2006 3:15:23 PM)
I would love to have one of those trailers to live in. I have been raising 3 gradkids they are all grown but 1 now. I spent what I would have saved for retirement raising them I would love to have one to live in.
Mary Phoenix AZ. (Sent Mar 24, 2006 6:10:58 PM)
I live in Birmingham and my husband works not far from a major train line. Every day we see at least 3 trains pulling 100 fema trailers headed south of us. I want to know where they are going? I know of too many who have to sleep in tents, a family that is living in a shell with three walls and tarps over the open end or ending up having to leave their clean up jobs because of small children and no where to stay. Who do I call to ask why I see them but no one is getting them? Somebody is getting either a kick back or they are sitting empty no doubt. Just makes you sick to your stomach at the total mess up this has been.
D Horton (Sent Mar 24, 2006 6:30:43 PM)
After reading some of the comments regarding the Rv's and individuals not having proper flood insurance or not at all is unbelievable. I live in the state of connecticut and, here if you live in a flood zone your property is automatically placed for flood insurance. I feel it was the lack of communication on behalf of the mortgage companies who provided mortgages to these families knowingly that certain areas are redlined for floodzone. I would contact a realestate attorney regarding this matter. Because, when anyone purchases property be it flood zone area or not you have to have homeowners insurance on that lien to protect the interest of the mortgage co. Now why, would they not protect there interests in this case? Especially when they knew that certain areas throughout louisiana particularly were in a "Flood"
"Zone". Makes no sense to me. My mother lives in a flood zone and, she was forced placed flood insurance through her mortgage company because she lived in a flood zone and they "Mortgage Co." were protecting there interests in the property for which they mortgaged for her. They should be held liable for not telling these folks that they either lived in a flood zone and they were required to purchase it.
iris clayton (Sent Jun 10, 2006 6:31:02 PM)
But keep your eye on those trailers...I will bet anyone... someone is lurking out thier someplace to make a literal fortune to take those "UNITS" away.and I will also bet that it will take less time than it did to get them thier in the first place...They will be talking about this one longer than they have "area 51"..........
John Pittsburgh,Pa (Sent Jul 13, 2006 7:36:05 AM)
We just made a trip down to the coast,and everything we had heard is true,It looks like a war zone.I have been thru floods and a fire,and either way,you have to start off with nothing. Fema was there for us during the flood along with the Red Cross and the local churches,we were certainly gratefull for all of the help received. With the fire,we had little insurance and so with 4 kids to provide for we bought a mobile home to replace the other one that had just burnt.Just so we could keep a roof over our heads.It was not as nice as the one that had burned,but we were all able to be together.That meant so much to us.I can only immagine what it would be like to have faced Katrina or any other like disaster,but I know not losing any one of the family made us all aware of the real things that matter in this life. Our children and each other.
Prayers to God will help from all of us. SS,Vicksburg,Ms
ss,Vicksburg,Ms (Sent Jul 24, 2006 4:55:26 PM)
It's funny how when its not in your backyard you can be so negative ,I live southeast Louisiana where the eye of Katrina made landfall our town is gone and dont see much of any rebuilding my home with many other are gone never to be seen again you should ask those owners who are living in Fema trailers not by choice what they feel about these boxes where every Tom,Dick and Harry constantly parades through your home like its a mall, Saturday, Sunday, anyday and if your not home well they have a key they dont need your permission its the GOVERMENTS trailer not ours so if you want mine come get it and its 1 year later 7/26/06 many people dont understand the magnitude of this destruction if your tired of seeing it well just think how we feel.
C.D. Guidry Empire La. (Sent Jul 26, 2006 9:10:26 AM)
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